Bills' Sean McDermott Leaning Into New Role As Defensive Play-Caller: 'It Feels Good'

With OTAs kicking off, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is adjusting to his new role as the team's defensive play caller.

Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott will have a bit more responsibility on his plate in 2023. 

With defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier stepping down this offseason, and the Bills not hiring an official replacement, McDermott has taken over play calling duties for the defense. McDermott already had a lot on his shoulders as the man in charge, but he's taking his new duties in stride all the same. 

"Just different assignments for me during practice at times now and not holistically, but from time to time throughout practice," McDermott said. "I'm in a different position than maybe I was before just because I need to be there."

McDermott added that he will approach each role in a different way. While he has enjoyed being the head coach for the last several years, he's excited to take on a role where he gets to be closer with the players.

"To me, the head coach's seat is a leadership seat and that's all good, and I love that part of it. But what you miss the most is rolling up your sleeves, getting in with the players side-by-side and coaching and getting in that defensive room, in this case for me and really getting down to the details," McDermott said. "So I missed that, and it feels good to be back doing that again."

So far, McDermott's fellow coaches seem enthusiastic about his involvement with the defense. Defensive backs coach John Butler said it's "great to have his voice in there" as the team gets into the thick of offseason workouts.

It's not just coaches raving about McDermott's new role, players are as well. Edge rusher Von Miller is excited to see what his head coach can do in a more hands-on role with the defense.

"I like the way he coaches," Miller said. "It should be great, man. He was always present. He was always giving pointers throughout the whole entire season. So now he's just full time in there."

McDermott has already become one of the most successful coaches in Bills history, leading the team to heights not seen in decades. He will hope to continue that success and build on it as he assumes an even greater role.

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You can follow Jonathan Alfano on Twitter at @JonAlfano_News

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